Category Archives: Volunteering

On Sat 3rd, Sun 4th, Sat 10th and Sun 11th October, Green Homes Sheffield is offering another round of open homes, plus the chance to tour homes by bike on Sun 4th October! There will be around 20 homes of different shapes and sizes opening their door to you, across the city.

Whether you are planning a big building project, need to save money on energy, or simply want to tackle some tricky draught-proofing, there will be plenty to find out and be inspired by. All of our open home hosts have improved the energy saving properties of their home, and are generating renewable energy from the sun or have made changes to their lifestyle, e.g. their travel habits.

Many of these homes have benefited from the skills of local companies – designers, builders and installers – who are keen to offer their services. See our ‘Who Can Help?’ directory to find out more.

We have teamed up with experienced cycle tour organisers to bring you the Green Homes Cycle Tour on Sun 4th October… more details very soon!

If you’d like to get more involved in Green Homes Sheffield, then joining the steering group might suit you. You’d be joining a small group of enthusiastic volunteers and would have the chance to make an important contribution to the project. We’re in a good position with funding in place and a series of events lined up, so this would be an exciting time to join the team.

The steering group meets about once a month, usually in a member’s home, and works closely with our project coordinator Jenny Patient. The group helps with planning and publicising our events, finding funding, generally getting stuff done and even throwing the odd party, so there are lots of ways you can contribute. Perhaps you’ve got a feel for running events, knowledge about green buildings, or a sense of how to use social media? Equally, if you are simply enthusiastic about what we do and willing to contribute some time and energy we’d love to hear from you.

The role description gives a more detailed picture of what’s involved and the sort of skills we’re looking for, so please do take a look.

Hi, my name is Grace Robinson. I am currently a student at the University of Sheffield and I am now the new Intern for Green Homes Sheffield!

I’d like to thank Green Homes Sheffield for accepting me, and to say that it is a privilege to be working here . As the Intern I will be regularly found at Regather Works working with the keen project frontrunner Jenny. I’ll be learning all the time, which is lucky for me as I’m really fascinated by the project.

Throughout the Open Homes events in April and May I will collect and analyse data to help evaluate how the Green Homes Sheffield network can help more people ‘green up’ their homes more easily, for many years to come. Our steering group want to find out how we’re doing – what is good, what is working well and how we can improve.

If you’re interested in the project please sign up to our mailing list and come along to an Open Homes event. Spread the word to your friends and colleagues to take the chance to visit energy efficient homes. If you have any comments or questions do not hesitate to let me know via our feedback form.

Green Homes Sheffield is looking for some more volunteers to help out at our open homes days – it’s a straightforward but interesting role that would suit anyone interested in making homes warmer and who likes helping people. Maybe you know someone who would like to get involved and has 2 or 3 days free?

Green Homes Welcomers will assist householders to open their home to the public by supporting all the practical things that need doing – e.g. putting up signs, making tea, greeting visitors when they arrive. (This will free up the hosts to focus on talking about the energy improvements to their home.) You need to like dealing with the public, e.g. talking to individuals, or helping them understand written material. (Good spoken English will be important here.) You need to be comfortable taking on practical helping tasks with guidance from the host. You would probably help at the same home on all the dates they are open, but you could help at more than one if you can offer enough time.